Monitoring of Landscape Transformations within Landscape Parks in Poland in the 21st Century

Lake bottom relief reconstruction and water volume estimation based on the subsidence rate of the post-mining area (Bytom, Southern Poland)

Mining activity leads to subsidence troughs and permanent changes in water relations, like the formation of anthropogenic reservoirs. In the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (S Poland), their number is so high that the area is called an anthropogenic lake district. Any form of water retention, in the face of climate change, is valuable. However, the problem is the high variability of these lakes, making it challenging to estimate water resources. An example of this type of anthropogenic lake is the Brandka Pond in Bytom. An original method was proposed, consisting of two stages: reconstruction of the lake bottom relief based on the initial state of the area relief in 1994, i.e. at the beginning of the reservoir formation, and the land subsidence rate calculated for this area. Archival cartographic materials and DEMs from LiDAR data were used and processed in the open-source geoinformation software. Orthophoto maps and satellite scenes were also collected to determine changes in the extent of the pond from 1993 to 2019. Bathymetric data obtained in 2019 during sonar measurements on the reservoir was used to verify the calculations. The pond began to form in the early 1990s, and by 2019, it had reached an area of 178,226 m2, a maximum depth of 5.8 m and a capacity of 421,173 m3. The reconstruction method is accurate and suitable for lakes over 2 m deep, and the calculated capacity differs from the bathymetric data by 0.2%.

Assessing the environmental destruction in forest ecosystems using landscape metrics and spatial analysis

Forest degradation is a serious environmental issue that has significant implications for ecological stability, biodiversity, and human well-being. Identifying the extent and severity of forest degradation is crucial for effective management and conservation of forest ecosystems. The objective of this study was to assess the ecological vulnerability of the forest in the Dadabad region using spatial analysis and landscape metrics. The land cover map of the area was divided into 13 sub-basins to quantify landscape metrics, and the severity of human activities, degradation level, and ecological vulnerability were calculated for each sub-basin. Each sub-basin was evaluated as a single landscape to determine the extent of degradation, and landscape zoning was performed based on the degradation coefficients. The study found that sub-basins 2 and 4 had the highest levels of degradation, while sub-basins 3, 7, 8, 11, and 12 were the least degraded. Over half of the Dadabad region, 37.8% for protection and 32.25% for rehabilitation, was recommended for conservation planning. The research highlights the importance of using spatial analysis of landscape metrics to assist managers and planners in protecting and conserving natural areas.

Identification and Assessment of the Driving Forces behind Changes in the Foothill Landscape: Case Studies of the Mysłakowice and Jelenia Góra Communities in Poland

The main objective of this study was to determine the driving forces behind landscape change and the perceptions of change by the residents of selected research areas. The communities used for the study were Mysłakowice and Jelenia Góra, located in the Lower Silesia region in Poland. Mysłakowice is a rural community, and Jelenia Góra is an urban community. The landscape of both municipalities is dominated by forest-covered mountains surrounding dispersed built-up and agricultural areas. The time range of the analysis was 2005-2020, covering the period after Poland's accession to the European Union, and was divided into the following three time periods: 2005-2010, 2010-2015, and 2015-2020. The research methodology consisted of the following three stages: (1) the identification of landscape changes on the basis of land cover data and the calculation of the landscape change index (LCI), (2) the characterization and classification of the identified landscape changes, and (3) the identification of the driving forces of landscape changes through surveys with the residents of both municipalities. The results obtained based on the surveys were often consistent with the results from the GIS analysis. The respondents were able to identify the most important changes and proposed the driving forces affecting them. According to the residents of Mysłakowice and Jelenia Góra, the changes in the landscape between 2005 and 2020 were primarily the result of political and socio-economic driving forces, accompanied by forces from other groups. However, each time period was distinctive. The analysis showed which types of changes in the landscape were viewed positively and negatively by the people during the analyzed periods of time, and what the influence of the different driving forces was on the formation of changes in the landscape.

Citizens' Perceptions of Landscape Changes and Their Driving Forces: Evidence from Poland

The main aim of our studies was to explore the driving forces of landscape change and their impact on the landscape as perceived by citizens in our study. We use quantitative tools for unravelling processes of landscape change over time and a qualitative tool aimed at capturing people's perceptions about those changes. We use the two municipalities of Ostrów Wielkopolski and Kąty Wrocławskie as illustrative examples of urban and urban-rural municipalities in two time periods, 2006-2021 and 2012-2018, in Poland. We apply a three-stage approach: (1) to identify the main landscape changes based on land-cover data, (2) to characterize those changes with the use of orthophoto maps and (3) to identify the driving forces of landscape changes with the use of an online survey and interviews. The results show a large agreement between the perceived and actual level of changes. We identified key landscape change processes in both municipalities, and we conclude that citizens' perceptions concerning those processes in both municipalities differed depending on the context, the level of changes, and the way this process was planned and implemented. In both municipalities, the respondents pointed out political driving forces of landscape change as key underlying drivers. Future landscape planning should consider citizens' approaches towards landscape change to achieve better societal approval and improve the quality of life of the inhabitants.

Landscape Changes in Protected Areas in Poland

Land-Use Cover Changes (LUCCs) are one of the main problems for the preservation of landscapes and natural biodiversity. Protected Areas (PAs) do not escape this threat. Poland is among the European leaders in terms of the variety of landscapes and the share of an area designated as a protected area. However, as many as 78% of the habitats have poor or bad conservation status based on EEA reports. This article analyzes the LUCCs between 2000 and 2018 in various types of the Polish legal forms of nature protection areas and the European Natura 2000 network within the country. The research material was: the data of Corine Land Cover (CLC), the Central Register of Nature Protection Forms, and high-resolution layers, such as HRL and orthophotos. The results were compiled according to the CLC class and forms of protection. The matrix of transformations showed that the most frequently transformed CLC class was 312 (coniferous forest). It was transformed into class 324 (transitional woodland shrubs). The changes in PAs were usually smaller than in the surrounding buffer zones, which may indicate their effectiveness. The exception was the areas of the European Natura 2000 network. The scale of land-cover flows (LCFs) changed within particular forms of protected areas, though afforestation and deforestation predominating in all area types. National reserves and parks were the most stable in terms of land cover structures. However, human settlements increased around the protected areas, potentially increasing threats to their ecological integrity.

Coordinated Development Evaluation of Population–Land–Industry in Counties of Western China: A Case Study of Shaanxi Province

The 14th Five-Year Plan of China proposes promoting urbanization construction, with counties as an important carrier. In order to evaluate the urbanization development level of counties in Western China, this study established an index system of population, land, and industry, constructed the coupling coordination model, selected Shaanxi Province as a representative case, and evaluated the comprehensive development level and its coordination degree of urbanization at the county level. The results show that: (1) there are two stages of urbanization in Western counties, namely “increment” and “quality improvement”; (2) county urbanization in Western China radiates from central cities, presenting the characteristics of a “core-edge” circle structure. Northern Shaanxi has significant spatial difference characteristics, the coordination and development level of the Guanzhong area are both in the lead, and Southern Shaanxi is still in the stage of weak level coordination; (3) unlike urbanization in metropolises, urbanization in Western counties is mainly driven by industrial agglomeration instead of land urbanization. However, population outflow is an obstacle to the urbanization of Western counties. The evaluation of the coordinated development of county urbanization can provide a theoretical basis and practical path for enhancing public service functions in counties, guiding urban–rural harmonious development.

Mapping of the Land Cover Changes in High Mountains of Western Carpathians between 1990–2018: Case Study of the Low Tatras National Park (Slovakia)

At present, the protection of nature and landscape in the high mountains of the Western Carpathians, protected as national parks, is becoming increasingly at the forefront of society’s interests in connection with the development of their economic use and the development of mass tourism. Our research was focused on analyzing the extent and character of land cover changes in the Low Tatras National Park in Slovakia over the last 30 years (1990–2018) using CORINE land cover (CLC) data. The period captures almost the entire existence of the Slovak Republic. Therefore, it was possible to evaluate the landscape changes in the protected area and to identify barriers and possibilities of its long-term sustainable development. Based on computer modeling, the main areas of the land cover changes were identified, and on the basis of historical-geographical and field research, land cover flows were determined and justified in the studied landscape of the national park. Changes were monitored using three methods: by comparing CLC maps over the years, by analyzing land cover flows, and by comparing landscape metrics obtained through the PatchAnalyst. Land cover changes occurred on up to 20% of the national park area in the given period. The most significant change was observed in the CLC class coniferous forests, with almost a 12% decrease. Conversely, there was an increase of more than 11% in the CLC class transitional woodland-shrub.

Partnerships and Stakeholder Participation in the Management of National Parks: Experiences of the Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe

National parks play an important role in maintaining natural ecosystems which are important sources of income and livelihood sustenance. Most national parks in Southern Africa are managed by their states. Before 2007, Gonarezhou National Park was managed by the Zimbabwe Parks Management and Wildlife Authority, which faced challenges in maintaining its biodiversity, community relations and infrastructure. However, in 2017 the Frankfurt Zoological Society and the Zimbabwe Parks Management and Wildlife Authority formed an innovative partnership under the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust (GCT). This study examines the relationship between GCT management, Gonarezhou National Park stakeholders and communities as well as the impact of the relationship on biodiversity and ecosystems. The study also highlights challenges faced and lessons learned in managing Gonarezhou as a protected area. To obtain the information, key informant interviews, Landsat satellite imagery, secondary data from previous studies and government sources were utilized. The results indicate that the concerted efforts of the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust to manage the park are starting to bear fruit in improving biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management and engaging communities. However, challenges such as governance obstacles, problematic stakeholder management, maintaining trust in community relations, ensuring sustainability, managing the adverse impacts of climate change and human-wildlife conflicts must still be navigated to ensure the park’s sustainable management. Notwithstanding challenges, we argue that a partnership arrangement such as the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust is a desirable model that can be applied in national parks in Zimbabwe and Africa for better biodiversity management and tourism.

Selected Elements of Technical Infrastructure in Municipalities Territorially Connected with National Parks

The article addresses the problem of selected technical infrastructure elements (e.g., water supply, sewage, gas networks) in municipalities territorially connected with Polish national parks. Therefore, the research refers to the specific areas: both naturally valuable and attractive in terms of tourism. The time range of the research covers the years 2003–2018. The studied networks were characterized based on the statistical analysis using linear ordering methods; synthetic measures of development were applied. It allowed the ranking construction of the examined municipalities in terms of the development level of water supply, sewage, and gas networks. The results show that the period 2003–2018 was characterized by a development of the analyzed networks in the vast majority of municipalities. Thus, the level of anthropopressure caused by the presence of local community and tourists in municipalities showed a decline. It is worth emphasizing that the infrastructure investments are carried out comprehensively. Favoring investments in the development of any of the abovementioned networks was not observed.

Survey of Community Livelihoods and Landscape Change along the Nzhelele and Levuvhu River Catchments in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Landscape-change studies have attracted increasing interest because of their importance to land management and the sustainable livelihoods of rural communities. However, empirical studies on landscape change and its drivers are often poorly understood, particularly, in small rural communities in developing countries such as South Africa. The present study surveyed local community livelihoods and perceptions of landscape change in the Nzhelele and Levuvhu river catchments in Limpopo Province, South Africa. These areas have experienced land reform and are also characterized by environmental degradation, poverty, inequality and environmental justice concerns among other issues. Land-cover maps derived from Landsat satellite imagery were used for purposes of correlating and validating the survey data findings and results. The survey results showed that education levels, working status and marital status have statistically significant effects on community livelihoods (indicated by levels of income, p < 0.05). Maize, fruits and vegetables are the main cultivated crop varieties in the study area, and these crops are mainly used for subsistence to meet household self-consumption requirements. Moreover, local community members and stakeholders argue that the landscape has changed over the past 20 years mainly as a result of urban expansion, deforestation, agricultural diversification and forestry intensification. These landscape changes were largely confirmed by the land-cover change maps derived from satellite imagery. Soil erosion as a result of landscape changes was identified as a major threat and hazard in the study area. Political, natural, economic and cultural factors have been identified as the major underlying drivers for the observed landscape changes. These results have implications for understanding landscape change, coupled with human–nature relationships as well as informing government policy with respect to advancing land management and further promotion of the sustainable livelihoods of rural communities. Overall, the study proposes a multiple stakeholders’ approach and ecosystem-based approach to promote the sustainable management of landscapes in rural areas.

Coupling Coordination Evaluation between Population and Land Urbanization in Ha-Chang Urban Agglomeration

As the major form of urbanization, urban agglomeration integrates urban resources, adjusts industrial structure, narrows the gap between urban and rural areas, enhances urban function, strengthens urban competitiveness, and promotes the strategy of regional sustainable development. Based on the panel data of 10 cities in Ha-Chang urban agglomeration from 2000 to 2014, this paper establishes an evaluation index-system of population and land urbanization quality level, and analyzes the coordination degree, spatial heterogeneity, and spatiotemporal evolution of urbanization, through using the methods of range standardization, entropy weight model, and coupling coordination models. Results show that the quality of population and land urbanization was increasing gradually during the study period. However, the coordination degree between population and land urbanization rate is decreasing. The comprehensive level of population and land urbanization increasing yearly, from low-level coupling coordination reverse to high-level coupling stage. The quality differences between the population and land urbanization of the ten cities of the Ha-Chang urban agglomeration are significant. The radiation function of large-sized cities and the regulation of medium-sized cities are not strong, and the coordination degree of small-sized cities is low. In view of the coordinated status of the Ha-Chang urban agglomeration, differently size cities should propose corresponding urbanization development strategies to enhance the main function of the urban agglomeration.

Spatiotemporal Dynamics and Obstacles of the Multi-Functionality of Land Use in Xiangxi, China

The multi-functionality of land as the basis of land use and utilization is under increasing investigation. This study assesses the spatiotemporal dynamic multi-functionality of land use and analyzes the obstacle indicators in Xiangxi using two methods, i.e., the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and the hierarchical weighting method (HWM). First, we found that the total function level of land use in Xiangxi was constantly optimized. Spatial heterogeneity was clearer. Land use had a trend toward diversification, with a focus on production or living function. The coordination of multifunctional land use has undergone certain changes. It was more apparent in the south than in central and northern regions. Second, we discovered that production function of land use in Xiangxi grew slowly and spatial differentiation was enhanced. The living function fluctuated with the trend of spatial equilibrium. Changes in ecological function and any spatial differentiation were not clear. Third, land use can be divided into living-ecological, production-living, and production obstacle types. Lastly, we state that, to narrow the gap between urban-rural areas and reduce the non-point pollution from agriculture in living-ecological barrier areas, we need to develop production and social public utilities in production-living barrier areas, and develop production and eliminate poverty in production barrier areas.

Economic Globalization Impacts on the Ecological Environment of Inland Developing Countries: A Case Study of Laos from the Perspective of the Land Use/Cover Change

Economic globalization promotes the economic development of underdeveloped regions but also influences the ecological environments of these regions, such as natural forest degradation. For inland developing regions with underdeveloped traffic routes, are the effects on the ecological environment also as obvious? To reveal the response characteristics of the ecological environment of the inland developing countries to globalization, we took Laos as an example, and used the land use/cover change data and also its exports and imports data to analyze the ecological environment change since the millennium. Land use transfer matrix analysis showed that Laos had encountered a large conversion of 14.43% natural forest to plantation forest since 2000 to 2017, and also a degradation of 5.94% natural forest to shrubland and grassland. Landscape pattern analysis showed that these changes were the main reasons of the fragmentation of ecological patches, which would lead to a reduction in biodiversity. More, topographic analysis further showed that natural forest degradation mainly took place in high-altitude and large slope areas, which could increase the potential of natural hazards such as floods. Coupling analysis with its exports and imports data indicated that economic globalization still had a significant impact on the country’s ecological environment although Laos is an inland developing country. Laos should strengthen the regulation of renewable resources such as forests and water resources, to avoid losing the renewable resources market while still enjoying the dividends of economic globalization. At the same time, it is necessary to accurately evaluate the indirect impacts of development on neighboring countries to ensure sustainable development.

The Green Infrastructure Assessment System (GIAS) and Its Applications for Urban Development and Management

Adverse changes of the landscape resulting from diverse human activities have consequently caused quality decline and functional degradation of the natural landscape, endangering the natural habitats of various species. Meanwhile, technical advancements in the area of spatial analysis including GIS and remote sensing enable many kinds of easy-to-quantify landscape indices. Although some systems were developed to support assess landscape indices, developing systems for practical decision-making in spatial planning was insufficient. In this study, the GIS-based Green Infrastructure Assessment System (GIAS) was developed for integrated assessment of diverse landscape ecological values to use in spatial planning and management based upon indices sets that are mainly represented as structure, function, and dynamics of the landscape. In order to verify the effectiveness of the system, two case studies involving the city of Namyangju, northeast of Seoul, were conducted by applying GIAS to the (1) macro scale and (2) micro scale. The study results demonstrate the capability of GIAS as a planning support tool to perform concrete assessment of landscape ecological values and performance both on the macro and micro scale, and its applicability to diverse stages in spatial planning. By utilizing GIAS, frequent human-induced impacts resulting from development projects can be examined in advance, and proactive alternatives can be prepared. In addition, effective decision-making for scientific and systematic planning and management of green infrastructure can be achieved.

Evaluating the Public’s Preferences toward Sustainable Planning under Climate and Land Use Change in Forest Parks

Balancing the goals of sustainable planning under climate and land use change (CLUC) with ecosystem service functions is a huge challenge for the management and programming of protected areas today. We construct a new evaluation framework towards the perspectives of sustainable land management based on the choice experiment (CE) model, and apply it to investigate the public’s preferences for the forest parks in Taiwan. This study found that implementing organic farming, increasing species populations, increasing the acreage of secondary forest area, and developing an integrated framework for ecotourism would best satisfy the public’s preferences for sustainable land use management. Second, we identify that the heterogeneity of the public’s preferences for forest park management varies depending on whether individuals are (1) members of environmental groups, (2) agricultural landowners, and (3) residents of the municipality. Third, we find integrated land use programs generate the highest welfare values among scenarios comprising different financial attributes.

Research on Land Use Changes and Ecological Risk Assessment in Yongjiang River Basin in Zhejiang Province, China

Studying land use changes and ecological risk assessment in Yongjiang River Basin in Zhejiang Province, China, provides theoretical references for optimal configuration of land resources and maintaining stability of ecosystems. Given impacts of land use changes on landscape patterns in the Yongjiang River Basin, ecological risk assessment indexes were constructed and used to analyze temporal and spatial variation characteristics of ecological risk within different periods. Results show that (1) the construction land area was increased quickly, while the cultivated area decreased sharply. A prominent characteristic of land use changes was manifested by transforming cultivated area and forestland into construction land. The utilized degree of the land increased continuously. Spatially, the land utilized degree in northern regions was higher than that in southern regions and the degree in eastern regions was higher than that in western regions. (2) The ecological risk in the Yongjiang River Basin was intensified and the area of high ecological risk was expanded by 893.96 km2. Regions with low and relatively low ecological risks concentrated in western and southern regions of the Basin, whereas regions with high ecological risks were mainly in northern and eastern regions. Landscapes in cities and towns at a high economic development level are highly sensitive to human activities. (3) Transformation of ecological risk is complicated. Land area with the ecological risk changing from a low level to a high level was 4.15 times that with the ecological risk changing from a high level to a low level. There were 15 transformation directions among different ecological risk regions.